Staff

Joseph Bein’s path to the family business began during his high school years when he started accompanying his father, the lateRobert Bein, on business trips to auctions in Boston.

Robert began training Joe in the study of instruments and on how to conduct business in a personal and professional manner. Joe was already very interested in sales and enjoyed travel and language (he is conversant in both Italian and Spanish). After getting to know some of his father’s associates on the Boston trips, Joe became enthralled by the violin business. He knew the direction his career would take. Robert was delighted with the decision.

In 2001, Joe received his Bachelor’s degree in International Business from Drake University. He spent a semester abroad in Florence, then returned to begin his career with Bein & Fushi as a salesman.

Over the years, he has enjoyed learning and growing in the business. In addition to being an exceptional salesman, he has become the firm’s principal historian and archival researcher responsible for accurately determining an instrument’s correct provenance.

“I was very fortunate to be able to see my father on such a regular basis. It was fun coming to work. My dad was my boss, my parent, and my friend. Being able to make Dad proud and helping the family business was wonderful.”

Joe Bein is a frequent guest lecturer speaking for The Stradivari Society, Bein & Fushi, Casino Club and recently in Poland for a commemorative concert featuring the “Wieniawski” Guarneri del Gesù violin, Cremona, c. 1742, one of the instruments in the Society’s collection. In addition, Joe has attended important violin exhibitions, including the 1994 Guarneri del Gesù exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum, the “Carlo Bergonzi, A Cremonese Master Unveiled” exhibition held in Cremona in 2010, and the landmark “Stradivarius” exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum in London last summer.

“I am especially proud that I have been able to continue relationships with my father’s clients, and in some cases, their children who have also entered the music world.”

– Joseph Bein

The Bein family (Joe, his wife and three children) lives in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. He is an accomplished cook and an avid Cubs fan. When not at Bein & Fushi, Joe can often be found at Wrigley Field during the baseball season.